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Precision T5400 "alert unable to initialize the fan controller"
After this message I press f1 and it all works but all fans are full on. This is the constant state of the machine for some time.
Speedfan shows no RPM indicator for fans 1 to 3, and no temperature readings for the dual xeons. except all at -26. I presume that means no reading. The memory temps are low at 50-60
CPUID shows no temp readings for the xeons
Dell diagnostics from the usb boot, says that there is an error for all fans, and that they are all on full.
All CPU/Memory diagnostics OK
Done all the usual stuff. So how do I diagnose if a fan is the problem, or it’s the motherboard ?
e.g. Could one fan with a dodgy sensor cause all this, or is it likely the motherboard ?
DELL-Colin Hu
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August 14th, 2015 07:00
I've circled the temp sensor on your picture from earlier in the thread. The soldered circles are the sensor.
speedstep
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August 14th, 2015 07:00
If it were my system I would at least take that panel out and flow thru solder in the holes and then put back to see if it changes the symptoms.
rogerharris
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September 15th, 2015 10:00
Am still trying to sort this problem, and have got another dell t5400 which works fine so I can deduct the problem by swapping out parts.
For ease of understanding I will refer to the working (quiet) machine as Q5400 and the noisy one as N5400. There are differences between them.
Q5400 has Bios A03. It has one quad core Xeon 5430. The motherboard is CN0RW203 13740 85U 002C. The motherboard version is revision A02
N5400 has Bios A11. It has two quad core Xeon 5440. The motherboard is CN0RW203 13740 77V 0000I. The motherboard version is revision X10.
The codes seem to indicate N5400 is an early production motherboard. Maybe even first version.
BOOTUP AND TEST Q5400.
It boots up and is quiet. In Q5400 speedfan gives some very different readings to N5400. It detects a fan controller EMC2710P (not detected in N5400). All the fan speeds are there and can be controlled. The Xeon 5430 also provides temperature readings.
FIRST SWAP TEST
To check if N5400 requires CPU temp readings to be quiet I swap processors. (only so they both have one CPU). The N5400 is still noisy.
However the Q5400 is now noisy with the Xeon 5440 installed !. At least I can use speedfan to quiet it though. To check its not a faulty CPU i take out the Xeon 5440 and swap with its matched partner (remember the N5400 has dual Xeon 5440). Same problem, no CPU temps, and noisy computer.
According to intel these are both the same family with similiar thermal monitoring.
So it appears like N5400 has maybe two problems.
1. Motherboard not report the fan controller EMC2710P
2. Both Xeons not providing CPU temps.
In how to proceed from here its confusing if anybody can advise
For problem 1. Either the board is faulty or its version is so old it was not compatible with the A11 bios upgrade. So before replacing this board I can try reverting the bios to A03.
For problem 2. Not sure ! What is the chance of both Xeons failing in such a way as they both will not provide CPU temps, yet survive all other benchmark tests ?
If anybody has any info that would be great thanks
rogerharris
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September 15th, 2015 10:00
so I want to install the twin Xeon 5440 in the Q5400.. but now i get two noisy computers.
Very frustrating..